28th June 2025
Saturday was another dry day at Glastonbury with blue sky to start with. As the day progressed some clouds came in.
Infinity Song
Infinity Song is a family-formed band. They hail from New York City. The group comprises siblings Abraham, Victory, Angel, and Israel Boyd. Raised in a household steeped in music – their father, a musician and minister, instilled in them a deep appreciation for diverse genres and the power of collaboration. From busking in Central Park to performing at prestigious venues, their blend of R&B, folk, pop, and gospel has garnered them a dedicated fanbase. I admit to being underwhelmed.
Here they played the opening Saturday set at the West Holts stage.
Nilüfer Yanya
The London-based artist signature style features a mix of restless, guitar-driven melodies, often with a ’90s alt-rock or grunge-indebted edge, paired with her remarkably expressive and smooth vocals. Her appearance was part of a day on the West Holts stage that also featured acts like Bob Vylan and Kneecap. As the performance came to an end, the artist used her platform to show solidarity with Palestine. A pro-Palestine banner was unfurled on stage during her closing message to the crowd, with a backdrop that read “Free Free Palestine.” This gesture was one of several political statements made by various artists across the festival weekend.
Climate Catastrophe Panel Moderated by Robin Ince
I next walked up to the Green Fields to listen to some discussions on climate change. In the Green Fields, there are a number of tents with forums and talks. One year, Sir David Attenborough came to give a talk. This year, as in most years, there are talks about climate change, and I engaged with the speakers.
Nova Twins
After the talks, I headed over to Woodsies Stage (formerly the John Peel Stage) to see the Nova Twins. My way was blocked, because the path past the West Holts Stage was packed with people. This was due to the crowds for the sets by Bob Vylan and Kneecap. I took a bypass around the back and managed to make it to see the start of the Nova Twins‘ performance—a band I have seen several times.
The atmosphere inside the Woodsies tent was electric well before their 16:30 slot. Stepping on to the stage, the pair immediately unleashed their signature “Nova Sound,” transforming the woodland area into a visceral rock and roll sanctuary. Their setlist, which featured fan favourites like “Antagonist,” “Piranha,” and “Glory,” alongside newer cuts from their recent album, Parasites & Butterflies, was a relentless assault of energy.
Pulp
I had to go and see the secret set by a band named “Patchwork”. I was way back in the crowds, so no view of the stage. This was the worst kept secret of a surprise secret set. The Britpop legends Pulp took to the Pyramid Stage for a surprise afternoon set, billed cryptically on the schedule as “Patchwork.”
Thirty years and four days after their legendary, last-minute stand-in headlining performance in 1995, Jarvis Cocker and co. returned to the iconic stage to a rapturous, jam-packed field. The show marked the band’s return to the festival’s main stage to commemorate the anniversary of their breakthrough performance, which became a cornerstone of Glastonbury folklore.
I had seen Pulp before at another secret set in 2011 at the Park Stage, a much smaller stage, and I had arrived very much earlier. I had a clear view, but could hear only the singing of three women next to me.
The band’s arrival was suitably theatrical, with a line of people in black and white ponchos briefly obscuring the stage before the iconic keyboard refrain of “Sorted for E’s & Wizz” began. A message flashed on the screen: “Are you ready for PULP SUMMER.”
Frontman Jarvis Cocker was in his usual form, witty and charismatic, dedicating “Mis-Shapes” to the massive crowd of outsiders and oddballs. He also noted the significance of the day, pointing out that “Sorted for E’s & Wizz” and “Disco 2000” were first played on that very stage exactly thirty years and four days ago.
The set blended classic hits with new material from their recent chart-topping album, More, including tracks like “Spike Island” and “Got to Have Love.” The performance culminated in an epic, unifying rendition of “Common People,” which was punctuated by a perfectly timed, and presumably coincidental, flyover from the Red Arrows, leading to a massive, delirious crowd sing-along that sealed the moment as a true Glastonbury highlight.
The full set list performed by Pulp on the Pyramid Stage on Saturday, June 28, 2025, was:
- Sorted for E’s & Wizz
- Disco 2000
- Spike Island
- O.U. (Gone, Gone)
- Acrylic Afternoons
- Something Changed (Acoustic)
- Do You Remember the First Time?
- Mis-Shapes (Dedicated to the audience)
- Got to Have Love
- Babies
- Common People (with Red Arrows flyover)
Father John Misty
Caught the last 20 minutes. Woodsies, Glastonbury was packed out for this. Sounded great bold music.. I don’t know any of it.
Tom Odell
I then went to watched Tom Odell at the same venue. Nice music, but a bit boring for me. Probably wish I hadnt seen him, because it made me late for Neil Young
Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts
I wasn’t initially planning on seeing the set, but ended up there. I was able to get in quite close to the front by entering the side of the field and edging forward over time as people left.
There were strongly divided views of his performance, which ignited one of the Glastonbury weekend’s contentions: what exactly constitutes a great rock and roll performance? Some long-time fans and purists hailed the 79-year-old rock veteran’s appearance with The Chrome Hearts as a masterclass in “proper R&R.“ They lauded the fierce, unadulterated musicality—the extended, ragged guitar solos, the heavy sound, and his refusal to pander to a modern festival audience. In an era of polished spectacle, his set was celebrated as a defiant reminder that substance outweighs showmanship.
Conversely, a more mixed crowd, particularly those unfamiliar with his live reputation, voiced criticism, suggesting he had limited stage presence and minimal interaction with the crowd. Comments circulated on social media about his subdued demeanour and extended, indulgent blues jams. My opinion is that the music itself was great, and ultimately, that is what counts. His sheer longevity and the depth of his catalogue, featuring classics alongside newer tracks, stood as a testament to his legendary status.
Set List
Neil Young’s set on the Pyramid Stage, Glastonbury on Saturday, June 28, 2025, included the following tracks:
- Rockin’ in the Free World
- Sugar Mountain (Solo Acoustic)
- Cinnamon Girl
- The Old Laughing Lady
- Cortez the Killer
- Be the Rain
- Ohio
- The Loner
- The Needle and the Damage Done
- Harvest Moon
- Comes a Time
- Heart of Gold
- Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black)
After the set I left and tried to meet up with Ed and Mary, who were on shift in the Silver Hayes area. Big mistake—huge crowds. I managed to extract myself and had an early night back at Love Fields, where there were still live performances in the bar.
Gallery
